Essentials of Sikh Rehat
Three fundamental principles of Khalsa Rehat - Pooja Akal Ki, Parcha Shabad Ka, Didar Khalse Ka. It emphasizes the worship of the Timeless, the importance of following the Guru's teachings, and accompanying pure-hearted Gurmukh Sikhs in the community.
The Khalsa was revealed by Guru Gobind Singh on Vaisakhi of 1699. Sikh Rehat is like a set of protocols, telling them how to live their lives in the right way. We will only take three common terms that are essential in rehat
1. "Pooja Akaal Ki,"
2. "Parcha Shabad Ka," and
3. "Didar Khalse Ka."
1. Pooja Akaal Ki: Worship of the Timeless
ਪੂਜਾ ਕੀਜੈ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਈਐ ਬਿਨੁ ਨਾਵੈ ਪੂਜ ਨ ਹੋਇ॥
(ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇਵ ਜੀ, ਅੰਗ 489)
"Pooja Akaal Ki" means to worship the Timeless, which is all about believing in a formless, omnipotent God, that we call Waheguru or Akaal Purakh. Every day, Sikhs start the day with their Nitnem from Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Dasam Granth. Naam Simran in the morning time, is a way to connect with the divine as told by Gurus. This is not about rejecting the forms of the divine, sikhs revere them as well but don't worship anything except the one which is Akath, Agam, Agochar.
2. Parcha Shabad Ka: Recitation and Following of Guru's Shabad
"Parcha Shabad Ka," tells Sikhs to read and follow the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru's words hold wisdom for leading a good life. Sikhs study the scripture, go to the gurdwara for prayers, and think about how to live by the Guru's teachings.
Bani Guru Guru Hai Bani, Vich Bani Amrit Sare.
ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਹਰਿ ਪਾਈਐ ਬਿਨੁ ਸਬਦੇ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾਇ ॥
(ਸਿਰੀ ਰਾਗ, ਮ:3, ਪੰਨਾ 36)
ਬਾਣੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਗੁਰੂ ਹੈ ਬਾਣੀ ਵਿਚਿ ਬਾਣੀ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਸਾਰੇ ॥
ਗੁਰ ਬਾਣੀ ਕਹੈ ਸੇਵਕੁ ਜਨੁ ਮਾਨੈ ਪਰਤਖਿ ਗੁਰੂ ਨਿਸਤਾਰੇ ॥
(ਨਟ ਮ.4, ਪੰਨਾ 982)
ਅਤੇ
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਸਤਿ ਸਰੂਪੁ ਹੈ ਗੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਬਣੀਐ ॥
ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਰੀਸੈ ਹੋਰਿ ਕਚੁ ਪਿਚੁ ਬੋਲਦੇ ਸੇ ਕੂੜਿਆਰ ਕੂੜੇ ਝੜਿ ਪੜੀਐੈ ॥
(ਗਉੜੀ ਵਾਰ-1, ਮਃ4, ਪੰਨਾ 304)
Living by the Guru's words means being honest, and kind, and treating everyone equally, no matter where they come from or what they believe. It also means doing selfless service (seva) and helping people who need it. By following "Parcha Shabad Ka," Sikhs become role models for living a good and honest life.
3. Didar Khalse Ka: Always Seek to See a Khalsa - a Pure One
ਜਿਨਾਂ ਸਾਸਿ ਗਿਰਾਸਿ ਨ ਵਿਸਰੈ, ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮਾ ਮਨਿ ਮੰਤੁ ॥
ਧੰਨ ਸਿ ਸੇਈ ਨਾਨਕਾ, ਪੂਰਨ ਸੋਈ ਸੰਤ ॥
(ਗਉੜੀ ਕੀ ਵਾਰ, ਸਲੋਕ ਮ.5, ਅੰਗ 319)
"Didar Khalse Ka" tells Sikhs to hang out with other Sikhs who follow their faith in a pure and faithful way. The Khalsa community supports each other on their spiritual journey and helps each other grow. It reminds Sikhs to keep their unique identity and follow the Sikh symbols, like the Five Ks (kesh, kara, kanga, kachera, and kirpan). These symbols show the world that Sikhs are committed to Sikh values.
